Loose-leaf binder lock



March 4, 1941. G, w BRQWNLEE, 5 2,233,512

' LOOSE-LEAF BINDER LOCK Filed Dec. 6, 1959 A iiomeys Patented Mar. 4, 1941 PATENT OFFlCE LOOSE-LEAF BINDER. LOCK George W. Brownlee, Sr., Atlanta, Ga., assignor to Ekonomie Binder Company, Atlanta, Ga., a corporation of Georgia,

Application December 6, 1939, Serial No. 307,923

1 Claim.

The present invention relates generally to new and useful improvements in loose-leaf binders and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a lock embodying a novel construction and arrangement whereby the cover of the binder, when it is pressed downwardly on the leaves, Will be automatically secured.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a loose-leaf binder lock of the aforementioned character which may be expeditiously released when desired;

Other objects of the invention are to provide a loose-leaf binder lock of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly efficient and reliable in use, compact and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view, looking at the rear of a loose-leaf binder equipped with locks constructed in accordance with the present invention, one of the clutches being shown in section.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the invention.

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the lock.

Figure 4 is a view principally in vertical section, illustrating the action of the clutch member.

Figure 5 is an elevational view of a slight modification.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the reference numeral I designates generally a loose-leaf binder comprising a base 2 of suitable material. Rigidly mounted on one of the marginal portions of the base 2 and rising therefrom is a pair of spaced posts 3. Slidable on the posts 3 is a removable cover '4.

The reference numeral 5 designates a stack of sheets or leaves which have been mounted on the posts 3 between the base 2 and cover 4.

Firmly secured in any suitable manner on the cover 4 of the binder I are substantially rectan- 0 gular metallic plates 6. The plates 6 are provided with openings which slidably accommodate the posts 3. Ears 1 rise from one end of the plates 6. Hingedly mounted for swinging movement in a vertical plane on the upper ends of the ears I and extending inwardly therefrom over the plates 6 are clutch members 8. The clutch members 8 are operable on the posts 3 and are provided with openings 9 which accommodate said posts. Rising from the other ends of the plates 6 are angular stops I0 which extend inwardly over the free end portions of the clutch members 8 for engagement thereby for positively limiting the upward swinging movement thereof to a substantially horizontal position.

It is thought that the manner in which the 10 locks function will be apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the cover 4 of the binder may be freely pressed downwardly on the sheets 5, the clutch members 8 permitting this, being prevented from swinging up- 15 wardly beyond a horizontal position by the stops II]. The openings 9 are such as to permit the clutch members 9 to swing downwardly by gravity to cocked position on the posts 3 in a manner to frictionally grip said posts for locking the 20 cover 4 thereto against upward sliding movement. This is shown to advantage in Fig. 4 of the drawing. The greater the upward pressure on the cover 4 the more firmly the clutch members 8 will grip the posts 3. When it is desired to raise the cover 4 on the posts 3 it is only necessary to swing the clutch members 8 upwardly to a substantially horizontal position into engagement with the stops II). The action of the clutch devices is such that the posts 3 are never 30 subjected to any strain or lateral pressure even at the lower ends or base portions thereof which would have a tendency to throw said posts out of alignment, an objection to looks which are in use at present. This is an important fea- 35 ture of the invention. Also, the locks may be released and the binder top removed in one operation. In other words, the same operation which lifts the clutch members 8 to unlocked or inoperative position also lifts the binder top 4 off the 40 posts 3.

In Fig. 5 of the drawing the reference numeral I I designates a spring which is mounted beneath the stop member I0 and engaged with the free end portion of the clutch member 8 for assisting in looking said clutch member to the binder post. In other respects the modification shown in Fig. 5 is similar in construction and operation to the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, of the drawing. 0

It is believed that the many advantages of a loose-leaf binder lock constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood and although preferred embodiments of the device are as illustrated and described, it 55 from over the plate for swinging movement in a vertical plane, said clutch members being frictionally engageable with the posts for locking the cover against upward sliding movement thereon, and an angular stop integral with the other end of each of the plates, said angular stops extending inwardly over the free end portions of the clutch members for positively limiting the upward swinging. movement of said' clutch members.

GEORGE W. BROWNLEE, SR. 

